With noise-canceling activated, I can work in a busy café or library without distraction. And when it’s time to leave, switching to transparency mode at the push of a button ensures I’m safely aware of my surroundings as I make my way to my destination.

Even with the newer Sony WH-1000XM6 out in the wild, the XM5s are still sitting pretty at the top of our headphone list. And it’s not just us hyping them up: just about every review you’ll find online raves about them.

Unsurprisingly, the XM6 are the best noise-canceling headphones the company has ever made. The updated drivers deliver outstanding sound quality and clearer vocals than Sony’s last-gen model, while a new noise-cancellation chip renders them even more adept at blocking out ambient noise.